Mindfulness for runners residential retreat in the Cotswolds
Why mindfulness for runners?
Mindfulness for runners combines the benefits of both running and mindfulness into an integrated whole for more enjoyable runs and greater all round well-being whether on the cushion, on the trail or in everyday life.
Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise in the UK with proven physical and mental health benefits, including helping prevent obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure, and boosting sleep quality and mood.
In recent years, there has also been a growing interest in mindfulness, with research linking a regular and sustained mindfulness practice with a decrease in the incidence of depression, anxiety and stress. It can also improve the ability to regulate our emotions, build resilience and help increase focus and attention.
Bringing mindful awareness to our experience can help us move beyond engaging with the world on autopilot as we learn to meet the present moment with openness, joy and curiosity.
The residential weekend
During the weekend you will be a resident at the wonderful Hawkwood College (www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk) which is set within the beautiful Cotswolds area, a place of outstanding natural beauty in the UK.
Running in its purest sense is a fully integrated body-mind experience, and during this immersive weekend you will be guided to explore a range of mindfulness techniques in stillness and movement, supported by group inquiry, while learning how to apply these skills in running on the beautiful trails in the surrounding area.
The core elements of the retreat will include:
- Posture and drills for good running form and injury prevention
- A range of mindfulness meditation practices
- Mindful running practices
- Key mindfulness concepts for running and life
- Integration of the benefits gained into everyday life.
Some of the themes we will explore during the weekend include:
- Anchoring our attention – running form and focus
- Integrating body and mind – full embodied running
- Opening our awareness – full spectrum running
- Meeting difficulties - working with aversion in running.
Some of the Key Concepts we shall look at include:
- Autopilot to being present
- Doing and being modes of mind
- Awareness and its content
- Allowing and letting be with curiosity
- Gratitude
- Everyday mindfulness.
Is this course for me?
The course is suitable for beginning runners who able to run up to 30 minutes at a slow pace, without the need for frequent stops, sometimes on uneven sloping terrain. And those who are totally new to meditation as well as people who have experience in one or both.
Prior to the start of the course there will be a questionnaire (to become familiar with your previous experience and any physical and/or mental health needs) for all prospective participants to complete and return.
Past participant feedback
"Great experience and well designed content,
delivered in a thoughtful and sensitive way.”
“Restored a sense of joy to my running. Feel now I can just run for the joy of it and not be constantly beating myself up for not performing or doing as well as I think I should be.”
“I am very interested in connecting mind with body and this course provided an ideal opportunity to explore that interest. The experience of running with a different mindset and attitude was revealing.”
“RUNZEN is more than just about running. It guides to experience the joy of movement and stop being judgemental towards yourself. Very liberating sensation. The course is well structured and the instructors clearly are passionate about what they do. I would recommend it to anyone who likes running, irrelevant of the level they are at.”
“I will be reflecting more on my habitual ways of thinking and how this affects my experience. I am going to continue to try to apply the skills we learnt to running and life in general.”
Your RUNZEN instructors
Stuart McLeod and Cesare Saguato have many years combined experience in running, mindfulness meditation and professional training, in running fitness coaching, mindfulness and psychotherapy at The Centre for Mindfulness Practice and Research at Bangor University and Oxford Mindfulness Centre at Oxford University, The Western Chan Fellowship, Bodhicharya and Kent and Medway NHS. Through all this, they have learnt that the integration of mind-body awareness can improve mental health and running simultaneously for greater all-round well-being and are passionate about sharing this with you.
Personal investment
- Residential single - £295
- Residential shared - £255
- Non-residential - £215
Please note that prices are listed per person.
Residential options are fully inclusive with all meals provided. Non-residential options include suppers, lunches, and all refreshments and exclude B&B.
All bookings are to be made through Hawkwood College (http://www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/courses-and-events/well-being/mindfulness-for-runners) however if you have any questions about the retreat, then please do get in contact by messaging us here or emailing us below, thank you.
Hoping to see you in the Spring to share what promises to be an enriching, rejuvenating and insightful time together.
All good wishes,
Cesare and Stuart
runzen.contact@gmail.com